Plasticware, I Love Thee

This past Sunday, Easter, we had lunch with my side of the family. During a yet another typical frustrating lunch trying to get Ethan to eat, my brother-in-law posed a question. "Do you think he doesn't like the silverware? What if you tried a plastic spoon?" During the seconds that followed this statement, several thoughts ran through my mind. It went something like this....

Why have we not tried that before? Why did I not think of that? It makes total sense. Corey can't stand when people bit on their forks because it gives him "fingernails on a chalkboard" shivers. Plus, Ethan will generally LICK foods instead of eating them. And, he usually prefers food that he can eat with his fingers or toothpicks. What a brilliant idea! Let's try it!!!

So, we have been trying plasticware ever since Monday....and it has been quite a change at our dining table!!! Not only is Ethan eating foods that he would never eat before, but he is also TRYING new foods without a battle! It's been AWESOME!!! I should have taken a before picture, but here is a picture of Ethan's dinner plate after he was finished eating the first time we used plastic silverware....

For dinner, we had grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, and applesauce (the red stuff is his loved ketchup). Before Ethan would have only eaten the chicken & applesauce. But because we switched to plastic silverware, he also WILLINGLY ate peas & mashed potatoes!! AWESOME!!!!

This week, Ethan has WILLINGLY TRIED steamed broccoli & pretzel strawberry dessert. He didn't like them, but he tried them. He has also gobbled up a few foods that we typically have to trick him into eating (bribing with fruit snacks). These are corn, mashed potatoes, taco soup, waffles, Chef Boyardee, BBQ chicken, chicken fettuccine alfredo, and peas.

It has been amazing to see my child eating food...and willingly! Eating time is not as stressful now that we don't have to battle for each bite. Corey & I can actually talk to each other & enjoy family meal time instead of just taking turns trying to get Ethan to eat!!! It's wonderful to know that he is getting more nutritious food, too. The last time he ate such a variety of foods was before we switched to table food. I thought it was the texture of toddler food versus table food, but I'm thinking now.....it was probably the difference in flatware. His toddler spoons were plastic. How did I not realize this?!?!

Yesterday was so interesting. Ethan actually said to me, "Mommy! I am very hungry!" NEVER have I heard these words from him. In fact, by the end of the day, I was out of "Ethan foods." He had eaten everything that I had given him, and I had no other snack food to provide! So, we just did a repeat of an early snack! I HAVE TO BUY HIM MORE FOOD!!!! YEE HAW!!!!!!! I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE, AND I AM SUPER PUMPED!!!!!!!

I'm sure we aren't done with his eating issues, but this has been a HUGE helpful change. I'll take it!!!!!